U.S. patent application number 12/986319 was filed with the patent office on 2012-07-12 for retrofit system for tethering a hand tool.
Invention is credited to Andre W. Moreau, Darrell A. Moreau.
Application Number | 20120174342 12/986319 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46454053 |
Filed Date | 2012-07-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120174342 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Moreau; Darrell A. ; et
al. |
July 12, 2012 |
Retrofit system for tethering a hand tool
Abstract
A retrofit system for tethering a hand tool includes a tool
collar having a collar body, a first body end, a second body end,
and a bore extending longitudinally therethrough, and a tethering
tab having a first tab opening and a second tab opening transverse
to the longitudinal axis of the tethering tab. The bore of the tool
collar has a cross-sectional area that is less than the
cross-sectional area of a first tool portion of the hand tool
providing a snug fit of the tool collar on the first tool portion.
The second tab opening of the tethering tab being spaced from the
first tab opening and the first tab opening having a
cross-sectional area larger than the cross-sectional area of the
first tool portion providing for free rotation of the tethering tab
around the first tool portion.
Inventors: |
Moreau; Darrell A.;
(Manchester, NH) ; Moreau; Andre W.; (Spring Hill,
FL) |
Family ID: |
46454053 |
Appl. No.: |
12/986319 |
Filed: |
January 7, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
24/3.1 ;
29/401.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B25B 15/02 20130101;
Y10T 24/13 20150115; Y10T 29/49716 20150115; B25B 7/00
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
24/3.1 ;
29/401.1 |
International
Class: |
A45F 5/00 20060101
A45F005/00; B23P 23/00 20060101 B23P023/00 |
Claims
1. A retrofit system for tethering a hand tool, the system
comprising: a tool collar having a collar body, a first body end, a
second body end, and a bore extending longitudinally therethrough,
the bore having a cross-sectional area that is less than the
cross-sectional area of a first tool portion of the hand tool
providing a snug fit of the tool collar on the first tool portion;
and a tethering tab having a first tab opening and a second tab
opening transverse to the longitudinal axis of the tethering tab,
the second tab opening being spaced from the first tab opening, the
first tab opening having a cross-sectional area larger than the
cross-sectional area of the first tool portion providing for free
rotation of the tethering tab around the first tool portion.
2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a skirt at the second
body end that extends transversely away a predefined distance from
the collar body.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein the second tab opening is spaced
from the first tab opening a predefined distance sufficient to
position the second tab opening beyond the largest cross-section of
the tool collar when the tool collar and the tethering tab are
connected to the tool to be tethered.
4. The system of claim 2 further comprising a
longitudinally-extending flange at the second body end having a
diameter smaller than the first tab opening of the tethering tab
and a length greater than the thickness of the tethering tab.
5. The system of claim 1 wherein the tool collar is made of a
resilient material.
6. The system of claim 1 wherein the tool collar is made of a rigid
or semi-rigid material and contains a fixed liner in the bore.
7. The system of claim 1 wherein the tethering tab is made of a
rigid or semi-rigid material.
8. The system of claim 6 wherein the tethering tab is made of a
material selected from the group consisting of metal, plastic and
composite.
9. A retrofit kit for tethering a hand tool, the kit comprising: a
tool collar made of a resilient material having a collar body, a
first body end, a second body end, and a bore extending
longitudinally therethrough, the bore having a cross-sectional area
that is less than the cross-sectional area of a first tool portion
of the hand tool providing a snug fit of the tool collar on the
first tool portion; a tethering tab having a first tab opening and
a second tab opening transverse to the longitudinal axis of the
tethering tab, the second tab opening being spaced from the first
tab opening, the first tab opening having a cross-sectional area
larger than the cross-sectional area of the first tool portion
providing for free rotation of the tethering tab around the first
tool portion; and instructions for assembling the tool collar and
the tethering tab to the hand tool.
10. The kit of claim 9 further comprising a second tool collar and
instructions for use of the second tool collar when required.
11. The kit of claim 9 wherein the second body end of the tool
collar has a skirt that extends transversely away a predefined
distance from the collar body.
12. The kit of claim 11 wherein the second body end of the tool
collar has a longitudinally-extending flange having a diameter
smaller than the first tab opening of the tethering tab and a
length greater than the thickness of the tethering tab.
13. A method of retrofitting a hand tool for use with a tool
lanyard, the method comprising: providing a hand tool having a
first tool portion and a second tool portion; providing a tethering
tab and a tool collar of a retrofit system for tethering a tool;
sliding a first tab opening of the tethering tab over a first tool
portion of the hand tool to a predefined position on the first tool
portion; forcibly attaching the tool collar to the first tool
portion of the hand tool by inserting the first tool portion into a
longitudinal bore at a second end of the tool collar; and forcibly
sliding the tool collar a predefined distance along the first tool
portion until the second end of the tool collar is adjacent the
tethering tab and positioned to permit the free rotation of the
tethering tab about the first tool portion.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein the predefined position on the
first tool portion is adjacent the second tool portion having a
diameter greater than the first tab opening of the tethering
tab.
15. The method of claim 13 further comprising forcibly sliding a
tool collar along the first tool portion before the tethering tab
sliding step to a position on the first tool portion beyond but
adjacent to the predefined distance in the tethering tab sliding
step.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to hand tools.
Particularly, the present invention relates to hand tools and
tethering of the same.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] It is a generally accepted safety practice to secure a
workman's tools in some manner when working from a ladder or above
ground level. Over the years different types of devices for
preventing the accidental dropping and/or loss of a tool and a tool
accessory have been attempted when working in overhead situations.
A dropped tool or tool accessory could be hazardous for personnel
working below or the dropped tool or tool accessory could
potentially damage a vital piece of equipment. This can occur when
the tool is mishandled, bumped, or jarred, becoming dislodged from
the users hand and free to fall to whatever is beneath the worker.
In some cases, this can be a passerby, another worker or even vital
plant equipment.
[0005] Typically, the tools are secured to the worker with a tether
or in a holster of some sort. Generally, tethers are lightweight,
optionally retractable, and have light duty snap hooks at each end
for snap connection to the tool and to the worker's belt or
harness. Some such tethers even use plastic snaps. In some cases a
loop is formed around the worker's wrist with the free end having a
snap connectable to a tool. Others have disclosed the use of hook
and loop type fasteners to secure the tool to the worker's hand.
The use of such safety tethers and lanyards is becoming
increasingly necessary, especially in industrial centers where
workers are constantly exposed to the hazards of falling tools,
sometimes from many feet.
[0006] Many attempts have been made to secure tools to tethers and
users. Some are successful and easy to use while others are
makeshift and lack the quality needed to sustain heavier tools.
Devices have been created to allow for lanyard attachment to hand
tools. Some devices include using eye hooks, or D-rings with
webbing secured by tape or heat shrink tubing. Other devices are
tubular and used over the butt end of screw drivers and other tools
with handles such as, for example, pliers, hammers, cutters, etc.
These tubular devices are normally heat shrinkable onto the tool or
are self-insertable device made of a resilient material that
provides a suction force when the tool handle or butt end is
inserted into the tubular device. The suction force created upon
insertion of the tool into the tubular device prevents the tool
from being easily pulled out or separated from the tubular
device.
[0007] In some cases, provisions are made on the tool itself for
making such attachments. In most cases when tools are provided with
an eyelet, however, it is typically provided as a means for storing
on a wall hook or the like.
[0008] Therefore, what is needed is a system that will retrofit a
hand tool for coupling to a tool lanyard or tether.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Currently available retrofit systems are tubular devices
that typically use an eyelet secured to the tool intended to be
tethered. There are disadvantages to these tubular retrofit
systems. The eyelet is always attached to the non-working end of
the tubular device or the tool. For example, when used on screw
drivers, the eyelet interferes with the full usefulness of the
tool. With most screw drivers, the butt end is designed to fit in
the palm of the user's hand to allow the user to press down while
tightening or loosening a screw. If the eyelet is at the end of the
tool, this cannot be accomplished successfully. This is also true
for other types of tools such as pliers, hammers, other hand tools,
and the like where the palm of the user's hand grips the end of the
tool to apply gripping pressure and/or transfer greater impacting
force through the tool. For tubular devices relying on the suction
caused by insertion of the tool into the tubular, flexible
material, another disadvantage arises. For these devices, the
suction force holding the tool such as a screw driver to the
tethering device may be abruptly relieved when attempting to
pull/remove the screw driver from the tethering device. This abrupt
release causes the tool to quickly release with accelerating force
due to the amount of force required to pull the screw driver or
other tool necessary to counter the suction force created when
applying the tubular device to the tool. If a tool has a sharp end
such as most screw drivers, the user/worker and/or bystander could
be injured.
[0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
retrofit system for tethering a tool. It is another object of the
present invention to provide a retrofit system for tethering a tool
that allows for the full intended use of the tool. It is a further
object of the present invention to provide a retrofit system for
tethering a tool that minimizes the entanglement of the tool
lanyard with the tool during use.
[0011] The present invention achieves these and other objectives by
providing a retrofit system that includes a tool collar and a
tethering tab. In one embodiment, the tool collar has a collar
body, a first body end, a second body end, and a bore extending
longitudinally therethrough and a tethering tab having a first tab
opening and a second tab opening where the tab openings are
transverse to the longitudinal axis of the tethering tab. The bore
has a cross-sectional area that is less than the cross-sectional
area of a first tool portion of the hand tool providing a snug fit
of the tool collar on the first tool portion. The second tab
opening of the tethering tab is spaced from the first tab opening
where the first tab opening has a cross-sectional area larger than
the cross-sectional area of the first tool portion providing for
free rotation of the tethering tab around the first tool
portion.
[0012] In another embodiment of the present invention, the second
body end of the tool collar has a skirt that extends transversely
away a predefined distance from the collar body.
[0013] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the second
tab opening of the tethering tab is spaced from the first tab
opening a predefined distance sufficient to position the second tab
opening beyond the largest cross-section of the tool collar when
the tool collar and the tethering tab are connected to the hand
tool to be tethered.
[0014] In still another embodiment of the present invention, the
second body end of the tool collar has a longitudinally-extending
flange having a diameter smaller than the first tab opening of the
tethering tab and a length greater than the thickness of the
tethering tab.
[0015] In another embodiment of the present invention, the tool
collar is made of a resilient material and the tethering tab is
made of a rigid or semi-rigid material.
[0016] In another embodiment of the present invention, the tool
collar is made of a rigid or semi-rigid material with a bore liner
or coating made of a resilient material.
[0017] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a
retrofit kit for tethering a hand tool is disclosed. The kit
includes a tool collar made of a resilient material, a tethering
tab and instructions for assembling the tool collar and the
tethering tab to the hand tool.
[0018] In a further embodiment of the present invention, a method
of retrofitting a hand tool for use with a tool lanyard is
disclosed. The method includes providing a hand tool having a first
tool portion and a second tool portion, providing a tethering tab
and a tool collar of a retrofit system for tethering a hand tool,
sliding a first tab opening of the tethering tab over a first tool
portion of the hand tool to a predefined position on the first tool
portion, forcibly attaching the tool collar to the first tool
portion of the hand tool by inserting the first tool portion into a
longitudinal bore at a second end of the tool collar, and forcibly
sliding the tool collar a predefined distance along the first tool
portion until the second end of the tool collar is adjacent the
tethering tab and positioned to permit the free rotation of the
tethering tab about the first tool portion.
[0019] In another embodiment of the present invention, the method
further includes forcibly sliding a tool collar along the first
tool portion before the step of sliding the tethering tab to a
position on the first tool portion beyond but adjacent to the
predefined distance described in the step of sliding the tethering
tab.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
present invention retrofit to a screw driver.
[0021] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the embodiment in FIG. 1
showing the present invention with the tool collar removed to
illustrate the tethering tab on the first tool portion.
[0022] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a tool
collar illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0023] FIG. 2A is an enlarged, partial perspective view of the
first body end of the tool collar showing the liner in the bore of
the tool collar when the tool collar is made of a rigid or
semi-rigid material.
[0024] FIG. 3 is a side view of the embodiment of the tool collar
illustrated in FIG. 2 showing a tapered elongated collar body.
[0025] FIG. 4 is a rear view of the tool collar illustrated in FIG.
2 showing the recess into the collar body from the second collar
end.
[0026] FIG. 5 is a side view of another embodiment of the tool
collar of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 6 is a side view of another embodiment of a tool collar
of the present invention showing a straight elongated collar
body.
[0028] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a
tethering tab illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0029] FIG. 8 is a front view of the embodiment of the tethering
tab illustrated in FIG. 5.
[0030] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
present invention retrofit to a pair of pliers showing use of two
tool collars.
[0031] FIG. 10 is a plan view of one embodiment of a retrofit
system kit for tethering a hand tool.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0032] The preferred embodiment(s) of the present invention is
illustrated in FIGS. 1-10. FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a
retrofit system 10 of the present invention connected to a hand
tool 1. Retrofit system 10 includes a tool collar 20 and a
tethering tab 40. As illustrated, tethering tab 40 is mounted on a
first tool portion 2 adjacent a second tool portion 3 of hand tool
1. In FIG. 1, hand tool 1 is represented by a screw driver.
Tethering tab 40 freely rotates around first tool portion 2, which
is indicated by arrows A. FIG. 1A shows tethering tab 40 without
tool collar 20 on hand tool 1 to more clearly show the rotational
relationship between tethering tab 40 and first tool portion 2.
When a lanyard/tether (not shown) is connected to tethering tab 40,
the free rotation of tethering tab 40 around first tool portion 2
does not interfere with the use of hand tool 1. The freely rotating
tethering tab 40 permits rotation of hand tool 1 when inserting or
removing a screw fastener (not shown) without causing the
lanyard/tether to twist or tangle on itself or with/around hand
tool 1. Furthermore, a user will typically apply force using the
palm of the hand to the end of second working portion 3 (also known
as the handle of the screw driver) of hand tool 1 while tightening
or loosening a screw fastener. The present invention permits full
use of the tool without interference with such use.
[0033] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of
tool collar 20. In this embodiment, tool collar 20 has a collar
body 22, a first body end 24, a second body end 26, and a bore 28
extending longitudinally therethrough. Bore 28 has a
cross-sectional area that is less than the cross-sectional area of
first tool portion 2 of hand tool 1 providing a snug fit of tool
collar 20 on first tool portion 2. Tool collar 20 may optionally
also include a skirt 30 that extends transversely away from the
circumference of second body end 26. Skirt 30 extends a predefined
distance to provide a larger cross-sectional area at second body
end 26 for retaining tethering tab 40 on first tool section 2 of
hand tool 1.
[0034] FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of tool collar 20 shown in
FIG. 2. As can be seen, bore 28 extends through the entire length
of tool collar 20. Second body end 26 may optionally include a
recess 32 forming a tapered opening 33 that is axially aligned with
bore 28. Optional tapered opening 33 facilitates centering of the
first tool portion 2 into bore 28 when tool collar 20 is forcibly
slid onto first tool portion 2 from second from end 26. This is
more clearly shown in FIG. 4, which is rear view of tool collar 20.
Tool collar 20 is preferably made of a resilient material but may
also be made of a rigid or semi-rigid material so long as bore 28
has a layer or insert or liner 29 of a resilient material securely
attached to bore 28 to provide a snug fit between tool collar 20
and first tool portion 2. FIG. 2A illustrates an enlarged view of
first body end 24 showing the liner 29. Examples of acceptable
materials include rubber, silicone and materials having the same or
similar resilient characteristics.
[0035] FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of another embodiment of tool
collar 20. In this embodiment, tool collar 20 includes a collar
body 22, a first body end 24, a second body end 26, and a bore 28
extending longitudinally therethrough. Like the tool collar shown
in FIG. 2, bore 28 has a cross-sectional area that is less than the
cross-sectional area of first tool portion 2 of hand tool 1
providing a snug fit of tool collar 20 on first tool portion 2.
Tool collar 20 may optionally also include a skirt 30 that extends
transversely away from the circumference of second body end 26.
Skirt 30 extends a predefined distance to provide a larger
cross-sectional area at second body end 26 for retaining tethering
tab 40 on first tool section 2 of hand tool 1. Also provided in
this embodiment is an optional flange 34. Optional flange 34
extends longitudinally from second body end 26 and has a length
greater than the thickness of tethering tab 40.
[0036] FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of another embodiment of tool
collar 20. In this embodiment, tool collar 20 has a straight,
elongated collar body 22. This configuration reduces the amount of
material used in tool collar 20 but may provide the transition
between skirt 30 and collar body 22 with less strength. This
becomes important when the force applied to tool collar 20 for
seating tool collar to the predefined location on first tool
portion 2 is applied to skirt 30 instead of collar body 22.
Depending on the amount of force applied to skirt 30 and the amount
of resistance caused by the snug fit of bore 28 around first tool
portion 2, this transition point could tear.
[0037] FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate one embodiment of tethering tab 40.
Tethering tab 40 includes a tab body 42 with a first tab end 43 and
a second tab end 45, a first tab opening 44 and a second tab
opening 46 where tab openings 44, 46 are transverse to the
longitudinal axis B-B of tethering tab 40. Second tab opening 46 is
spaced from first tab opening 44 and both tab openings 44, 46
extend completely through tab body 42. First tab opening 44 has a
cross-sectional area larger than the cross-sectional area of first
tool portion 2 to provide for free rotation of tethering tab 40
around first tool portion 2. Second tab opening 46 is spaced from
second tab end 45 providing a retaining edge 47 around which a
tether clip (not shown) is attached. The size of first tab opening
44 to second tab opening 46 is dependent on the diameter of first
tool portion 2 and the size of the tether clip. Although tethering
tab 40 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 have semi-circularly shaped first and
second tab ends 43 and 45, respectively, it is contemplated that
the shape of first and second tab ends 43, 45 may be any
configuration so long as tethering tab 40 can be used for its
intended purpose. The intended purpose being that tethering tap 40
is connectable to a first tool portion 2 and can freely rotate
about first tool portion 2 while presenting a second tab end 45 for
attachment to the clip of a tool tether. It is also contemplated
that the peripheral shape of tethering tab 40 may also have any
configuration so long as tethering tab 40 can be used for its
intended purpose. Tethering tab 40 is made of a rigid or semi-rigid
material. Examples of such materials are metal, plastic and the
like.
[0038] For tools that offer an abrupt change in cross-sectional
area between first tool portion 2 and second tool portion 3, only
one tool collar 20 is necessary so that tethering tab 40 is
"sandwiched" between second collar end 26 and second tool portion
3. For tools that do not have an abrupt change in cross-sectional
area between first tool portion 2 and second tool portion 3, a
second tool collar 20 is used to "sandwich" tethering tab 40
therebetween. FIG. 9 illustrates one example of a tool that may
require two tool collars 20. As can be seen, second collar ends 26
are opposed to each other with tethering tab 40 therebetween. In
this embodiment, tethering tab 40 also freely rotates around first
tool portion 2.
[0039] FIG. 10 illustrates a plan view of a kit containing the
retrofit system 10 of the present invention. The kit contains one
or more tool collars 20, a tethering tab 40 and instructions 60 for
attaching the one or more tool collars 20 and the tethering tab 40
to a hand tool.
[0040] To use the present invention, a hand tool 1 that is not
equipped to be attached to a tool lanyard but is to be retrofitted
for attaching a tool lanyard is provided. For a hand tool that has
an abrupt change is cross-sectional area between a first tool
portion 2 and a second tool portion 3 such as, for example, a screw
driver, first tab opening 44 of tethering tab 40 is slid onto first
tool portion 2 up to and adjacent to second tool portion 3. Next,
bore 28 of second body end 26 of tool collar 20 is forcibly slid
onto first tool portion 2 to a predefined distance adjacent
tethering tab 40 so as to permit tethering tab 40 to freely rotate
around first tool portion 2. The snug fit of tool collar 20
prevents tethering tab 40 from sliding off of first tool portion
2.
[0041] For a hand tool that does not have an abrupt change in
cross-sectional area between a first tool portion 2 and a second
tool portion 3 such as, for example, a pair of pliers, a bore 28 of
a first body end 24 of tool collar 40 is forcibly slid onto first
too portion 2 to a predefined distance. Next, first tab opening 44
of tethering tab 40 is slid onto first tool portion 2 up to and
adjacent to second body end 26 of tool collar 20 that was already
installed on first tool portion 2. Next, bore 28 of second body end
26 of another tool collar 20 is forcibly slid onto first tool
portion 2 to a predefined distance adjacent tethering tab 40 so as
to permit tethering tab 40 to freely rotate around first tool
portion 2 between the first tool collar 20 and the second tool
collar 20. The snug fit of the first and second tool collars 20
prevents tethering tab 40 from sliding off of first tool portion
2.
[0042] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention
have been described herein, the above description is merely
illustrative. Further modification of the invention herein
disclosed will occur to those skilled in the respective arts and
all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the
invention as defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *